Dajue Temple is best known for its Yulan trees, planted almost 300 years ago. The finest being the magnolias. It is said that a monk brought two of the specimens found in the southern courtyard from Sichuan during the Qianlong era, and one of them survives today. Another magnolia in the northern courtyard was transplanted about 100 years ago, and grows alongside a ginkgo tree.

The ancient tree usually blossoms around the April 5 every year, during the traditional Chinese Everbright Festival.

Recently some mountain villas were built near the temple to provide a dining, entertainment and accommodation service for visitors to the temple. The most convenient is Miaoling Villa, about 5 kilometers south of the temple.

The villa itself is also worth a visit thanks to the vast area of Yulan, peach and pear blossoms, and the Buddhist culture apparent from its layout and decoration.

An inkslab, about 4 square metres, is said to be the largest in China and is displayed in the villa. The inkslab is held by nine stone dragons. The sculpture attracts many visitors.

The villa offers entertainment and sports facilities ranging from swimming pool, bowling, tennis, sauna, massage, dance hall, movie house, and shooting.

Different styles of dishes are also available. For a two-bed suite here, expect to pay around 380 yuan (US$48) a day. The fee includes some entertainment facilities. To get to Dajue Temple and Miaoling Villa, take the Badaling Highway to the north and get off at the Beianhe Exit. Then take Beiqing Road to a T-junction. Turn left for the villa and turn right for the temple. Check signposts along the way.

For visitors starting from west of downtown Beijing, go north beyond the Summer Palace, pass through Heishanhu, Xibeiwang, Heilongtan (Black Dragon Pool) and the Wenquan (Hot Springs), and then go through the two villages of Beianhe and Zhoujiaxiang before coming to a steep path, which leads to the main gate of the Dajue Temple. Bus route 346 from the Summer Palace gets you to Beianhe Nankou Stop. which is 2 km from the temple.